'He should prove that Cheltenham run all wrong' - Harry Wilson's tips for every race at the Punchestown festival on Wednesday

Harry Wilson with his advice for all eight races from Punchestown on Wednesday. . .

2.30 Punchestown
Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle, 2m3½f

Harry's tip: American Sniper

American Sniper has produced his three highest Racing Post Ratings when tried in first-time headgear, including twice over this sort of trip on the Old course at Cheltenham. However, he'd had three runs without headgear before winning in refitted cheekpieces at Newbury in November, so it seems he produces his best efforts when switching. That didn't come to fruition last time when the blinkers went back on, but it was the Pertemps Final and he did too much too soon over that longer trip (was still leading rounding the home turn). He's just 2lb above his last winning mark and it could prove significant that he now moves from blinkers to cheekpieces here.

American Sniper14:30 Punchestown

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Jky: Ben Bromley Tnr: David Pipe

3.05 Punchestown
Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final, 2m3½f

Harry's tip: Champagne Jury

Champagne Jury bolted up in a 2m2½f Naas bumper on his rules debut, always travelling well and pulling out plenty to win comfortably, looking like he would stay really well. He wasn't beaten far behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Honesty Policy on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown last month, having travelled stylishly into lead, and this unexposed sort should have plenty more to offer now stepping up in trip.

Champagne Jury15:05 Punchestown

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Jky: Conor Stone-Walsh (3lb)Tnr: Gavin Cromwell

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3.40 Punchestown
Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle , 2m3½f 

Harry's tip: Kaid D'Authie

American Mike returns to hurdles for the first time in two years, but he doesn’t set a frightening standard in this sphere and Kaid D’Authie is just the sort of horse who could improve past him. He bounced back from a fall on his stable debut to win a maiden hurdle in December at the expense of Koktail Divin, who has since franked the form, having won a Leopardstown maiden before finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree this month. Kaid D'Authie  hasn’t cut much ice in a couple of Grade 1s since, but this race is significantly weaker and, if the cheekpieces help him to concentrate, he should prove how classy he is.

Kaid d'Authie15:40 Punchestown

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Jky: Mark Walsh Tnr: W P Mullins

4.15 Punchestown
Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle , 3m 

Harry's tip: Honesty Policy

Jasmin De Vaux looked good when winning the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival, with the slower gallop over the longer trip seemingly allowing him to jump better. He still doesn't look a natural, though, and it worries me that he flopped at this meeting after winning the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last year, so I'm going to take him on with Honesty Policy. He is progressing quickly, with the extra half a mile crucial in helping him land the Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree last time. He passed three rivals on the run-in that day and may improve even more for the extra distance here.

Honesty Policy16:15 Punchestown

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Jky: Mark Walsh Tnr: Gordon Elliott

4.50 Punchestown
Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion INH Flat Race, 2m½f 

Harry's tip: Kalypso'chance

Bambino Fever warrants plenty of respect after following her Grade 2 success at the Dublin Racing Festival with victory in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival, but I'm going to afford another chance to Kalypso’chance, who didn't run his race last time following a break, not helped by being buffeted about on the turn for home. He was a hugely impressive winner of a bumper over this course and distance on his debut, and he quickened up nicely to land a Listed event at Navan in December that Gordon Elliott has won with the likes of Envoi Allen and Sir Gerhard. He should prove that Cheltenham run all wrong.

Kalypso'chance16:50 Punchestown

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Jky: Mr H C Swan Tnr: Gordon Elliott

5.30 Punchestown
Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup, 3m1f

Harry's tip: Banbridge

This race has eluded Galopin Des Champs in the last two years, and if he runs to the same level as he did in this last year (RPR of 164) then he is very beatable. Banbridge didn’t seem suited by the demands of the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but the return to this venue, where he won the Champion Chase at this meeting last year, could see him in a much better light. All of his best form has come at a right-handed track, including when staying on strongly to collar Il Est Francais in the King George on his first go at three miles over fences, and he remains very unexposed over staying trips. At the prices, Banbridge is the play.

Banbridge17:30 Punchestown

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Jky: J J Slevin Tnr: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

6.05 Punchestown
Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase, 2m4½f

Harry's tip: Lightkeeper

Lightkeeper has looked progressive since getting on better ground over fences, following up an easy novice chase win at Down Royal with a comfortable success in a handicap at Wexford this month. He beat subsequent Fairyhouse scorer Kiltealy Park by eight lengths that day and may have got off lightly with a 7lb rise.

Lightkeeper18:05 Punchestown

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Jky: Jordan Gainford Tnr: Gordon Elliott

6.35 Punchestown
Weatherbys General Stud Book Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race (Grade 3), 2m½f

Harry's tip: Future Prospect

Future Prospect hasn't quite lived up to the impression she created on her debut at Fairyhouse in December, when she showed a smart turn of foot to score by nine lengths. She was keen that day, and that trait has been even more pronounced on her two starts since. She's got some engine, though, as she was still hard on the bridle alongside Grade 1 contender Switch From Diesel last time before paying for her early exertions. Her debut run is the highest RPR in the field and, with the hope she settles better in this bigger field, she can continue Mullins' good record in this race.

Future Prospect18:35 Punchestown

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Jky: Mr P W Mullins Tnr: W P Mullins

Read more:

Small but beautiful - Jonathan Harding answers the big questions for a blockbuster Gold Cup on day two at Punchestown  

'It has nothing to do with the track' - Ruby Walsh on why punters should not be fooled by Galopin Des Champs' poor course record 

Graeme Rodway's play of the day at Punchestown 

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